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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Brexit referendum: EU must not fall into 'depression' | |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier says the EU must not fall into "depression and paralysis" after the UK voted to leave the bloc. | |
| He made the comments arriving for an urgent meeting of the six EU founder members to discuss the decision. | |
| They will consider the process and speed of Britain's exit, and are also likely to discuss how to dissuade others from doing the same. | |
| Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron has said he will step down by October. | |
| The six countries attending the talks in Berlin - Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands - first joined forces in the 1950s and still form the core of the EU. | |
| The first summit of EU leaders with no British representation will be held on Wednesday. The EU has urged the UK to start negotiations to leave quickly. | |
| European Commission head Jean-Claude Juncker stressed the "Union of the remaining 27 members will continue". | European Commission head Jean-Claude Juncker stressed the "Union of the remaining 27 members will continue". |
| Global stock markets fell heavily on the news of the so-called "Brexit", where the UK voted by 52% to 48% to leave the EU. The value of the pound has also fallen dramatically. | |
| The UK must now invoke Article 50 of the EU Lisbon Treaty, which then allows for two years for withdrawal to be negotiated. | The UK must now invoke Article 50 of the EU Lisbon Treaty, which then allows for two years for withdrawal to be negotiated. |
| However, Mr Cameron said he preferred to leave negotiations to his successor. | However, Mr Cameron said he preferred to leave negotiations to his successor. |
| "Britons decided yesterday that they want to leave the European Union, so it doesn't make any sense to wait until October to try to negotiate the terms of their departure," Mr Juncker said in an interview with Germany's ARD television network. | "Britons decided yesterday that they want to leave the European Union, so it doesn't make any sense to wait until October to try to negotiate the terms of their departure," Mr Juncker said in an interview with Germany's ARD television network. |
| "I would like to get started immediately." | "I would like to get started immediately." |
| Also on Friday, European Parliament President Martin Schulz said the EU "as a whole was taken as a hostage" by infighting among Mr Cameron's Conservative party. | Also on Friday, European Parliament President Martin Schulz said the EU "as a whole was taken as a hostage" by infighting among Mr Cameron's Conservative party. |
| European Council President Donald Tusk said the "so-called divorce process" would be discussed among all non-UK members on Wednesday, a day after Mr Cameron holds talks with members. | |
| Europe asks what next - Katya Adler, BBC Europe editor | Europe asks what next - Katya Adler, BBC Europe editor |
| In all the years I've covered European politics, I've never seen this continent so Eurosceptic or the future of the European Union so uncertain. | In all the years I've covered European politics, I've never seen this continent so Eurosceptic or the future of the European Union so uncertain. |
| The mood in Brussels is resentful and despondent, while governments across Europe are scared. | The mood in Brussels is resentful and despondent, while governments across Europe are scared. |
| They feel the heat from angry electorates who share many of the criticisms of the EU highlighted during the UK referendum campaign. | They feel the heat from angry electorates who share many of the criticisms of the EU highlighted during the UK referendum campaign. |
| That's why you've been hearing the words "EU" and "reform" of late from the nervous mouths of some you'd least expect, such as Germany's Angela Merkel, and Donald Tusk. | That's why you've been hearing the words "EU" and "reform" of late from the nervous mouths of some you'd least expect, such as Germany's Angela Merkel, and Donald Tusk. |
| Because they're so worried, the EU is preparing to get tough with Britain over the terms and timing of a new trade relationship. | Because they're so worried, the EU is preparing to get tough with Britain over the terms and timing of a new trade relationship. |
| This is not about punishment - well, not much. | This is not about punishment - well, not much. |
| It's more a desire for the process to be painful to put others off exiting, while Europe's leadership tries to re-group and, perhaps, reform. | It's more a desire for the process to be painful to put others off exiting, while Europe's leadership tries to re-group and, perhaps, reform. |
| Read more by Katya on Brexit here | Read more by Katya on Brexit here |
| How European powers reacted | How European powers reacted |
| Other leaders, including Polish President Andrzej Duda, said it was crucial that work be done to prevent other countries leaving the EU. | Other leaders, including Polish President Andrzej Duda, said it was crucial that work be done to prevent other countries leaving the EU. |
| Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said it was inevitable more countries would leave the EU soon if it did not change its path. | Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said it was inevitable more countries would leave the EU soon if it did not change its path. |
| Leaders of Eurosceptic parties in France, the Netherlands and Italy quickly demanded referendums in their own countries. | Leaders of Eurosceptic parties in France, the Netherlands and Italy quickly demanded referendums in their own countries. |
| Reacting to the vote, UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage said "the EU is dying". | Reacting to the vote, UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage said "the EU is dying". |
| But Mr Tusk said this was "not a moment for hysterical reactions". | But Mr Tusk said this was "not a moment for hysterical reactions". |
| How did Europe's markets react? | How did Europe's markets react? |
| London's FTSE 100 index fell 7% in early trading, but ended the day 3.15% lower. | London's FTSE 100 index fell 7% in early trading, but ended the day 3.15% lower. |
| European markets were hit harder, with the Dax in Frankfurt suffering its worst day since 2008. | European markets were hit harder, with the Dax in Frankfurt suffering its worst day since 2008. |
| The European Central Bank also said it was closely monitoring financial markets and was in close contact with other central banks. | The European Central Bank also said it was closely monitoring financial markets and was in close contact with other central banks. |
| Sterling also plunged, falling more than 8% against the dollar and 6% against the euro. | Sterling also plunged, falling more than 8% against the dollar and 6% against the euro. |
| Read more: Stock markets tumble after Leave vote | Read more: Stock markets tumble after Leave vote |
| What comes next? | What comes next? |
| Brexit: What happens now? | Brexit: What happens now? |
| What is Article 50 of the EU Treaty? | What is Article 50 of the EU Treaty? |